Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 SP AF Di LD IF

Who It’s For:

The Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 is Tamron’s latest affordable (comparatively speaking) 500mm lens. If you need a lens that will give you an incredible reach, at a fraction of the cost of the big boys, then this is definitely the lens for you.

What We Like:

Price: This lens is quite a lot cheaper than comparable offerings from Nikon or Canon.

DX Reach: On a DX camera, this lens has a comparable reach of 320-800mm

Build Quality: This lens is part of Tamron’s SP lens group, which means it has the build quality of a professional lens.

Transport Lock: The lens allows you to lock it at the 200mm focal length for travel.

What We Don’t:

Speed: AF performance is pretty slow at times

AF: in addition to relatively slow speed, the focus ring rotates, meaning this lens is a little outdated and loud.

Size: At 200mm this lens is fairly compact, but by 500mm, you better have a tripod handy.